My “Word of 2015”

My friend, Maria, blogs at My Barefoot Soul. We met many years ago when we were both blogging over at Xanga. (Does anyone still blog there?) Anyway, earlier today she wrote about choosing a “word of the year” and I think she chose the perfect one for herself. Toward the end of her post, she asked if any of her readers had chosen a “word of 2015” for themselves, and I realized that not only had I not chosen a word for this year — I’d never chosen a word for any year. So I thought about it and I have a word for this year:

I think persistent is a good word for quite a few reasons, which I will share with you now.

In 2015, I plan to be persistent in my pursuit of a stronger relationship with the Lord. It’s been heavy on my heart for months that my commitment has been less than stellar, and that for a long time. When I realized that I’d had “good” excuses for missing worship and fellowship with my church family for almost two months, I thought “what a sorry example of a Christ-follower you are.” The Creator of everything that is, my heavenly Father who sacrificed his Son for me — am I so important and so busy that I cannot carve out time in each day for prayer? And yet, when a crisis hits, I truly do pray without ceasing. Hypocrite, much? So this year, if you see me standing in the paper goods aisle at Kroger and I look like I’m talking to myself, I may just be having a little visit with the Lord.

In 2015, I plan to be persistent in the love of my family. Sometimes loving family members is not easy. Sometimes it’s not convenient. Sometimes it’s a downright pain in the backside to love, and the sense of obligation (because it’s family) makes it even harder. When I think of what my life would be like without my husband, daughter, and extended family, though — oh, how I love them all!

In 2015, I hope to be more persistent in looking for opportunities where I can serve. I have often used the excuse that “my plate is so full right now,” or “I do for my extended family” or “I made a donation.” I really need to stretch myself and look for opportunities to serve face to face with people in need.

And lastly (because if this list becomes too long, I might as well blow it off), in 2015, regardless of circumstances, I plan to pursue persistent joy. That kind of joy that gets you through the saddest times — because you know that everything’s going to be okay even though you feel as if you may die.

Oh and I’m glad to see you blogging a bit again. I always check and you have been silent for so long. 🙂 As to Xanga…. oh my. Since I was a “life” member I still have access to something like 2020 and there is NOBODY there. It seems they took everyone’s money and then put it into the Chinese based Xanga site which was profitable for them. Or at least that’s the rumor. You can’t find anyone on the site, your photos are all totally messed up, half the things don’t work. I downloaded all my posts and they got transferred over to WordPress and I’m slowly downloading my photos that got lost in a hard drive crash. Other than that there is no point in going over there.